Poll Book for the 1932 Primary

Jasper County, Voters Listed in Poll Book for Fourth Precinct, Rensselaer, Indiana, 1932 Primary

by Wendy L. Adams

Soon after American women obtained the right to vote in 1920, Martha Ellis Hopkins (1870–1959) launched her career in Indiana politics—not as a politician, but rather as a dedicated local precinct worker in Jasper County, Indiana. A staunch supporter of the Republican Party, Hopkins spent thirty-plus years working as a polling officer during elections as well as the Precinct Vice Committeeperson of the Third Precinct in Marion Township, Jasper County, Indiana. She was appointed the Republican Vice Chairperson for the Tenth Congressional District in Indiana, an office she held from 1922 to 1932. Martha Ellis Hopkins was the daughter of John B. Ellis (1832–1914) and Mary Crowel (1837–1875). In 1872 Martha moved with her parents and siblings from her birthplace in Jefferson Township, Carroll County, Indiana, to Kokomo in Howard County, where she remained until graduation from high school in 1887. She returned to Carroll County, where she taught at an elementary school. In 1902 she married Arthur Herbert Hopkins (1866–1952) of Rensselaer, Jasper County, Indiana, and moved there with him to reside until her death in Lafayette in 1959. 1 Housed in the Indiana Historical Society’s William Henry Smith Memorial Library, the Collection of Martha Ellis Hopkins, Jasper County, Indiana, 1920–1952 (M146/BV1446–1453), contains a varied selection of political documents and memorabilia. The political collection includes correspondence written between 1920 and 1937; voter records from 1940 to 1952; clippings on Indiana politics; Indiana-printed items consisting of mainly Republican-oriented leaflets, broadsides, and programs; and campaign buttons as well as poll books for Rensselaer’s Third and Fourth Precincts during the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. Similar to today, poll books were used by those working at a voting location to record the names of individuals voting that day. Due to the serious nature of their position, poll-takers (or polling officers) were responsible for accurately and diligently recording the information provided to them by the voters. Early twentieth-century poll books not only supply the voter’s name but also other interesting and pertinent facts about that person. For example, scribbled Jasper County, Voters Listed in Poll Book for Fourth Precinct, Rensselaer, Indiana, 1932 Primary next to a voter’s name and voting information is the name of a previous owner to where the voter is currently residing as well as other insights into the individual’s life.2 The poll book for the 1932 primary election is a good example of what information can be found. Within this particular poll book, voters’ names were entered by the poll-taker (in this instance, Martha Ellis Hopkins), who arranged them alphabetically by the first letter of the voter’s last name. An occasional last name appears out of order at the top or bottom of each list, indicating that these voters, although eligible to vote, may have registered late, and their names were written in upon their appearance at the poll. Generally, the names of married women voters are identified with the title “Mrs.” followed by the husband’s first name in parentheses written next to their own first name and are entered immediately below the husband’s name. Hopkins also noted the marital status of single women by following the name with “Miss” and acknowledged those holding a religious office with either “Rev.,” “Bro.,” or “Sister.” After each name are columns requesting such information as the voter’s political affiliation; whether he or she is a first-time voter, absentee voter, a person of “color,” or a soldier (and in what war served); address; occupation or place of occupation; and any other remarks (Hopkins chose to write in the voter’s telephone number). Throughout this poll book, several names have been crossed out, indicating that either these individuals did not vote during this particular election or they were ineligible to vote in that precinct due to a change of residence. The following list contains all of the names written in the 1932 Primary Day Poll Book in the order they appear in the book. Note that, in the poll book itself, the last names beginning in “N” follow those beginning in “Mc” and precede those beginning in “M.” Therefore, they have been listed in that same order here. Because of the nature of given names employed by women associated with religious orders in the Roman Catholic Church, the title of “Sister” has been included as means to identify them as such. Other titles, such as “Rev.” and “Bro.,” have not been included here even though they appear in the poll book.

Notes 1. Ellis Hopkins, Biography/Obituary of Martha Crowel Alice Ellis Hopkins, Collection of Martha Ellis Hopkins as Political Worker in Jasper County, 1920–1952, M146, Box 1, William Henry Smith Memorial Library, Indiana Historical Society.

2. Indiana Code 3-11-8-10.5, “Recording Name of Voters Who Sign Poll List; Requirements,” http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title3/ar11/ch8.html; and 1932 Primary Day Poll Book, Collection of Martha Ellis Hopkins as Political Worker in Jasper County, 1920–1952, BV1446–1453, William Henry Smith Memorial Library, Indiana Historical Society.

Voters Listed in Poll Book for Fourth Precinct, Rensselaer, Indiana, 1932 Primary

Allee, Ernest Bishop, Otis Cunningham, Gertrude Allee, Edna Bishop, Pearl Campbell, Bert Anderson, Leroy Boehmer, Nettie Cocker, Gomar Anderson, Elva Bott, William L. Cook, Raymond Anthes, Arthur A. Bringle, William D. Collins, Charles Anthes, Effie Bringle, Dorothea Campbell, Verna Arnott, Fred Bundy, Ray S. Campbell, William Arnott, Irene Bundy, Gladys Campbell, Opal Arnott, Carl Burr, Elliott Arnott, Ester Burr, Marjorie Davis, John Arnott, Don W. Brown, Nancy E. Day, Lois Abbott, John K. Beaver, Clifford Day, Glenn Abbott, Iva Beaver, Luebella Donnelly, Francis J. Arnott, Walter Bramble, Clifford Donnelly, Mary M. Arnott, Bernice Donnelly, Robert M. Chamberlain, Charles S. Donnelly, Iris P. Baechtel, Fred Chamberlain, Mary E. Downs, Cecil Babcock, Avanel Chamberlain, Catherine Downs, Irene Bailey, Arthur N. Chamberlain, Charlotte Downs, Lillie Bailey, Flora Clarke, Philo W. Dunlap, John A. Bailey, Orville Clarke, Jennie M. Dunlap, Helen H. Baker, Pauline Clark, Homer T. Duggleby, Howard Baker, Fidelus Clark, Mary L. Duggleby, Ethel Ball, Jacob Clouse, Orla Baptista, Sister Mary Clouse, Robert Eck, Francis Barnes, George Clouse, Lillian Effinger, Louis Barnes, Ida E. Clarke, Mae Eger, John Bar[u/n]es, Herbert Collins, Sarah E. Eger, Louisa Bar[u/n]es, Anna Collins, Leland W. Eger, Mary Beaver, Charles W. Collins, Paul Eger, Elizabeth Beaver, Dora Collins, Alfred Eger, Carrie Beck, Mary Condon, Bernard J. Eger, Cle[v]e Beck, Rose Cook, Charles T. Eger, J[uno] Bellerson, Leonard Cooper, Harry E. Eger, Mary Delilah Bell, Stephen B. Cooper, Lillie D. Eiglesbach, Julia Bell, Clara N. Cooper, Helen M. Eiglesbach, William E. Benjamin, Martha Cooper, Dessa Eiglesbach, Elsie B. Biggs, William Craw, Milton Ehleringer, Maurice Biggs, Charlotte Craw, Rosemond Ehrlinspiel, Leo Biggs, Mildred Cunningham, Charles W. Eldridge, Lawson E.

Eldridge, Gladys W. G[w/iv]in, Mildred Hemphill, Hazel Eldridge, Ethel Green, Walter Hershman, Helen Erb, Walter Green, Lucille Hilliard, Scott P. Erb, Sarah Heimes, Peter Esser, G. Hall, Jennings Hile, C. J. Esser, Rufus Hall, Leona Hile, Mary Effinger, Louis Herchberger, Merle Hill, Robert [Eisen]hart, F. A. Hopkins, James E. A. Hill, Anna Eisenhart, Elsie Hugheym, Lelia Holden, John H. Emerencia, Sister Mary Huish, Lela Paulus Holden, Nellie E. Hunter, —— Fendig, Benjamin F. Hollingsworth, Fannie Iliff, Hattie Fendig, Ella W. Holt, William Irwin, Frances Fendig, Ralph Watson Holt, Hazel Irwin, Edward Fendig, Frederick Hoover, Alfred A. Irwin, Alma Fisher, Winifred B. Hoover, Evelyn Irwin, Schuyler C. Fisher, Lilly Honan, Margaret E. Irwin, Effie Foltz, Cora E. Hoover, Nettie Irwin, Genevieve Ford, Kenneth L. Hoover, William A. Irwin, Nina Ford, Lettie F. Hoover, Elizabeth Forstner, Andrew Hoover, Howard Jacks, Elmer Frankovich, Adam Honan, Edward M. Jacks, Leatha Ferris, –—— Hopkins, Arthur H. Jackson, Margaret Fehrenbacher, F. Hopkins, Martha E. Jardine, William C. Hopkins, John E. Jarvis, Otis A. Gates, Paul Hopkins, E[ni/m]mett Jarvis, Margaret M. Gates, Mabel Hopkins, Blanche Jeffries, Joseph Glasson, Irene Hunt, Judson J. Jeffries, Jeanette Glazebrook, Isaac Hunt, Helen W. Johnson, Dolphin C. Glazebrook, Kate Hunt, John W. Johnson, Ruby Glazebrook, Viola Hunt, Sarah Johnson, Amanda Grace, Pearl Hudson, John Jonas, James Grable, J. E. Hudson, Helen Jonas, Stella Grable, Rachel Hudson, Guy Jones, Sara Grant, Bart Hudson, Rebecca J. Julian, Ivan Grant, Pearl Hudson, Cecil Julian, Gladys Grant, Hattie Hurley, Elsie Jeffry, Donald Grant, Blanche Halstead, Chester H. Grant, Garland Halstead, Emily Kamman, Bernard Grant, Josie Halsema, Minnie Kanne, Frank A. Grant, Rollo Halstead, William Kanne, Daisy Grow, Charles F. Halstead, (Mrs. Al) Kanne, Arthur E. Grow, Mary Hartman, Sylvester Kanne, Ethel Grow, Charles R., Jr. Hatton, Russell Kanne, Gertrude Grow, David Elza Hatton, Elizabeth Kanney, Joseph A. Grow, Maggie Hayes, Frank Kanney, Ella C. Grow, William R. Hayworth, James N. Keeney, Rose Griggs, Clyde Hayworth, Clara Keeney, Florence Griggs, Bettie Heinz, Carl Keister, James A. Goad, Lewis W. Heinz, Nellie Keister, Margaret M. Goad, Fay Hemphill, Mary Etta Keister, Leonard G[w/iv]in, Leon Hemphill, Earl Keister, Lottie

Keister, Ray Lo[u/n]g, Gaylord Murray, Margaret Alice Kennedy, George W. Lo[u/n]g, Myrta Marlin, —— Charles Kennedy, Malissa D. Lo[u/n]g, A. F. Meyering, Tillie Kenkel, Joseph B. Lo[u/n]g, Elizabeth Maxwell, Ethel Keller, Lance Loy, Robert B. Makeever, Daniel Swaynee Kepner, Isaac M. Loy, Hazel Makeever, Emmaline Kepner, Capitola Malone, Tull E. Ketchum, Stella P. McColly, Benjamin D. Malone, Grace Kilmer, John N. McColly, Melvina Malone, Wiliam Kilmer, Sarah E. McColly, Walter Malone, Lavina King, Walter McColly, Fred Malone, Ilo King, May McColly, Alice V. Marling, John Koenn, Theodore McCallum, James Martindale, Teresa Koester, Meinrad McIntyre, Joseph Martindale, Nina Kohley, Lloyd McKay, Stella Maxwell, Clarence E. Knue, Cyrille McKay, John Maxwell, Anna Knaur, George W. McKay, Hazel Maxwell, Martha Knaur, Cora McLain, George H. Merz, Robert Kresler, Frank G. McLain, Maude Miller, Wallace Kresler, Frank G., Jr. McVey, Warren Miller, Betty Kresler, Virginia McVey, Edith Kresler, Elizabeth McKay, Luella Meader, Edward Kuhn, Albert Markle, Gretchen Kuhn, Mildred Neal, Elizabeth Merz, Robert Kurtz, LeRoy Nessi[u/n]s, Matt Miller, Wallace Kurtz, Lillian Nessi[u/n]s, Madeline Miller, Betty Kanne, Al. H. Nessi[u/n]s, Henry F. Milner, Harry L. Kanne, Elizabeth Nichols, Eliza J. Milner, Hester Keeney, Maude Nicosson, Arthur Michael, John W. Kepner, Ora Nicosson, Irene Michael, Mabel Norman, Van Lamson, Anna E. Norman, Jessie L. Olberding, Henry Lamborn, Jena Norman, John W. O’Riley, Ralph Landoll, Rupert O’Riley, Carlyn Lane, Mary Michael, John Otte, Joseph La Rue, Amzi S. Michael, Nellie Overton, Ray La Rue, Sadie Michael, Jennings V. Overton, Mabel Leavel, Charles H. Michael, Vance Oglesby, Benjamin G. Leavel, May Minc[k/h], Joseph Oglesby, Laura Leavel, Lynn Mullins, Doyle Leopold, Benhart Mullins, Alice Parr, Vincent Leopold, Fannie Murray, William H. Parker, Harry F. Lattimore, Edith Murray, Mary Ann Parker, Irma K. Lohr, Charles E. Murray, Henry B. Parks, Ray Lohr, Daisy Murray, Viletta B. Parks, Myrtle Lutz, Willis A. Murray, G. Edson Pax, Walter Lutz, Ella E. Murray, Nellie F. Paulus, Raymond L. Lutz, Emma Mutchler, Victor Paulus, Margaret Lucks, Henry Mutchler, Beulah Paulus, Henry Luke, Henry Meyers, June Paulus, Bessie G. Lutkemeier, Camillus Morlan, Frank Paulus, Keith Lane, Mary Morlan, Nellie Pierson, Annie Lou

Phares, John F. Reeve, Ruth Shindler, Gertrude Phares, Ruth L. Reynolds, Adams Earl Shindler, Andrew Phares, Glen Reynolds, Nellie Shook, Iva Phares, Edna Rhoades, Edward D. Shaw, Charles Phegley, Charles E. Rhoades, Lora H. Shaw, Stella Phegley, Ed Rhoades, Charles W. Shuster, Fred Phegley, Elmer Rhoades, Eva J. Shuster, George Phegley, Amy E. Rhoads, Oliver F. Sites, Fred Phegley, Raleigh Rhoades, Mary E. Siegbertha, Sister Mary Poole, John Rhoades, Leonard C. Sigo, Wilford Poole, Mary J. Rhoades, Ruth Smith, Robert E. Poole, Willis Rhoads, Emma Smith, Flossie Powers, George J. Rhoads, Edwin Smith, Ed. E. Powers, Dorothy Roof, Edward Smith, Grace Prior, Charles E. Rodgers, Herman C. Smith, Henry C. Putts, George Rodgers, May[m/n]e Smith, Agnes Putts, Gertrude Robinson, Schuyler C. Smith, Mort Putts, Fred Robinson, Eva Smith, Henry Putts, Anna Robinson, Floyd Spaeth, Cornelius Padgett, George Robinson, Cora Sprague, Ralph Padgett, Dorlores Rodgers, Add[ie/a] V. Sprague, Myrtle Phillips, Carl Rowen, Arlie Sprague, Marjorie Phillips, Elizabeth Rowen, Nancy Spaulding, Elizabeth Phegley, Lester Rutherford, Nellie Spitler, Mildred B. Phares, John F. Reynolds, Helen Somers, Martin G. Phares, Ruth Redgate, Mary Somers, Candace Redgate, Jessie Somers, Charles Quigg, Joseph Reed, Roland Somers, Mary Reed, Lucy Evelyn Starr, Emma Rable, Clarence Rhoades, Cora Strain, Merrill Randle, Harry E. Rishling, William Strain, Nellie Randle, Lillian Rishling, Mable Strole, Gerald W. Randle, Clifford Rott, Arlo Strole, Martha Ranton, Edward Staab, Christian Ranton, Bessie G. Sager, Mary A. Storch, Leonard Rapp, Ildephons Sayler, Lawrence A. Steiger, Walter Rastetter, Clarence Searcy, —— Stukenborg, Robert Rawlings, Laurel Searcy, Mrs. —— Sudhoff, Leonard Ray, George Schaeffer, Wilson Sullivan, Bert Ray, Daisy Schaeffer, Emma Sullivan, Carrie Rayner, John Scantlin, Helen Margaret Sage, Ted Rayner, Jennie Scott, William Sager, Harriet Reed, George W. Scott, Mattie Shellhart, Maria Reed, Mabel Scheidler, Albin Shoemaker, Verna Reed, George W., Jr. Scharf, B. Reed, Charles A. Schon, J. Teach, Frank Reed, Adda Schneider, David Teach, Flora Reed, Maurice Scheurer, Cletus Teach, McKinley Reed, Howard Schuerman, Clarence Teach, Minnie Reeve, Leo Scholastica, Sister Mary Terrell, Forrest S. Reeve, True Shrode, Le Roy W. Theodota, Sister Mary Reeve, Joseph W. Shipman, Henry M. Thompson, Delos

Thompson, Julia Williams, W. O. Thompson, Ray D. Williams, George Thompson, Bertha N. Williams, Freda Toben, Louis F. Wood, Belle Toben, Iva Wright, Nellie Todd, Leon Wright, Willis J. Todd, Clara Wright, Judith Tullis, Riley Ware, Ralph Tullis, Grace Wartena, J. Leonard Tuteur, Herman B. Wartena, Mary Tyler, William C. Welday, Everett Tyler, Mildred Wingard, Jesse Terrell, Britta Westphal, Wilbur Westphal, Mytle Upjohn, Dorothy Westphal, Howard Williams, George Van Hook, Russel N. Van Hook, Cecilia Yates, Mary A. Volin, Valerian Yeoman, James M. Yeoman, Maribel Wallace, Al E. Young, Ileen P. Wallace, Maude Yates, Clara Wallace, Mary Agatha Ward, John M. Zeigler, Lizzie Ward, Faye O. Zink, Ferdinand Ward, William F. Zuber, Victor Ward, Harry C. Zea, Emma Ward, Ray Ward, Zelda Ware, Howard Ware, Beatrice Ware, Homer D. Ware, Clara Warner, Rex D. Warner, Georgia Warner, Norman Hale Warner, Mary Wartena, Raymond Wartena, Irene Wartena, Abraham Wartena, Loretta Wasson, Martha J. Washburn, Margaret D. Washburn, Perry Washburn, Ethel Watson, Kate R. Waymire, Henry Waymire, Mary Welday, Everett West, Elizabeth Wingard, Earl R. Wingard, Della